B.C. campsites are booking up quickly for spring and summer 2016

If you were planning on heading west for that camping trip, you’d best hurry up, as BC Parks is experiencing a surge in people reserving spots this spring and summer.

The reservation service only opened last month, but BC Parks has confirmed to our sister site, Vancity Buzz, that bookings are already 18% higher than they were at this point in 2015. And, with the low Loonie and soaring temperatures, you can expect the demand for nights under canvas to continue to grow in 2016.

“The exchange rate on the American dollar is likely encouraging more residents to enjoy a ‘staycation’,” BC Parks’ Nathalie Dechaine told Vancity Buzz. Dechaine also believes that more and more people are using the online service to avoid missing out on their preferred pitches.

“People are either appreciating that a reservation gives them peace of mind, or that they are accepting in some of our more popular campgrounds, especially during long weekends in the peak season, you require a reservation,” she said.

So what can would-be campers do to ensure they don’t miss out on their opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors?

BC Parks has produced some invaluable advice to help you safeguard your night under canvas. The best advice is to book early, but don’t worry if you’ve missed out on your perfect spot. Plans change and new inventory often becomes available as people cancel their bookings, so it’s worth keeping a regular eye on the reservations website, just in case.